Instagram just added a fun feature, the ability to view photos and videos while making a video call, so it will be easy to comment with our friends on the latest posts on the social network.
The novelty of Instagram, as in many social apps these days, seeks to help us cope with the confinement due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Video calls allow us to stay in touch from each other's homes, and the possibility of chatting about the multimedia content of other users will give virtual meetings much more interest.
These days Houseparty has become popular for combining video calls and games, but the novelty of Instagram could surpass it. It is not uncommon to watch social networks with friends to find out what's new with mutual acquaintances and even criticize them, something that will now be done from a distance.
This is what the newly added feature looks like:
For now the interface does not include a search engine, so we can only choose posts that we have liked, have saved, or suggestions from Instagram itself.
Instagram has activated the ability to see posts with our friends globally and, for example, in Spain it already works. Of course, we must check in the app store of our Android smartphone or iPhone that the app has been updated to the latest version
Once confirmed, here are the steps to start the group video call:
- Open the Direct section (direct messages) by pressing the paper plane icon, in the upper right corner after entering Instagram:
- It is possible to start the video call from the conversation with a specific contact or group, or directly press the camcorder icon on the list number of chats:
- Next we will choose the participants, either marking them in the list or searching for them by name in the upper bar, and when we have chosen, click on "Start":
- The video call begins when at least one person picks it up, we can now greet each other and start talking. When we want to see the Instagram videos and photos together, click on "Multimedia Content":
- The content to share will appear in a tab to choose from, divided into three sections: photos and videos that we have liked ("I like it"), the publications that we have saved on Instagram and suggestions, which are the same ones that appear in the Explore section.
- The content, be it a video or a still photo, will be displayed in the foreground, with the camera of those present below, and the ability to continue speaking:
- From the "Multimedia Content" menu we can choose other posts to display, or click on "Delete" to return to the normal video call.
During the quarantine we have also seen the popularity of Zoom, a professional video call service that offers great quality, but does not have leisure-oriented functions.
The ability to view posts on Instagram with friends can be turned into a kind of "party mode", and it would be interesting that the social network was adding other capabilities, such as games, within its video calls.
What do you think of this idea? Is watching Instagram posts with your friends or family fun?
